The new, ad-supported version of the erstwhile MSN Spaces has officially launched, with features intended to challenge the likes of MySpace and Facebook.

Windows Live Spaces lets users quickly create a webpage or blog, post photos and build a network of contacts, reports PC Advisor. The services will be supported by advertising, which Microsoft said is "critical to driving growth for the company." By default, the profiles of users under 18 can be viewed only by people who are in the user's IM contacts. The new service integrates other Windows Live services, such as Live Mail (Hotmail) and Live Messenger, writes the Inquirer.

Hotmail users, for example, can share their address book (Live Contacts) among their IM service (Live Messenger), web mail (Live Mail), and blog (Live Spaces) That integration facilitates security, with Live Spaces allowing users to specify who can contact them, see their profile, and access their blog. Live Spaces users can also select "gadgets" to personalize their pages - ad a news ticker, quote of the day or weather forecast, for example.

Microsoft also said it will release 10 of 20 beta versions of its Live services by the end of September, including antivirus and performance-management app Windows Live OneCare Safety Scanner, Live Toolbar browser search bar - and Live QnA, an online forum for asking and answering questions.